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Hangzhou- -

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Hangzhou is a famous Chinese city. When you go sightseing in China, people will inevitably tell you that "Above there is heaven, below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou". Hangzhou's "heavenly" beauty attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists -- Chinese as well as foreign -- to its exquisite Xi Hu (West Lake) vicinity each year, to enjoy the placid lake, beautiful gardens, reflecting pools, lavish temples, and friendly lakeside teahouses. Although the West Lake is the main attraction, the graceful city of Hangzhou itself is also well worth a visit. But Hangzhou has more than scenary. A city of over a million people, rich in historic and cultural monuments, it also offers visitors some educational outings: here you can see how two of China's most delightful inventions -- silk and tea -- are produced.

Hangzhou is the southern terminus of the world's first canal (and the longest one in use). The capital of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou is 189kms (117 miles) from Shanghai -- about two hours on the train, making it a pleasant trip with the nice view along the railroad.

Historically, Hangzhou enjoyed over two hundred years of imperial glory. Between the 8th and 12th centuries, it was the capital of several kingdoms and dynasties. When Marco Polo visited in 13th century, he pronounced the city superior to "all others in the world, in grandeur and beauty, as well as ... its abundant delights, which might lead an inhabitant to imagine himself in paradise".

For a full panorama of West Lake and the city as well, travel up to the viewing platform at a pavilion atop Wu Hill (Wu Shan), south of the lake. The hill-top setting is richly forested with ginkgo, maple and camphor trees. But the beauty of the lake can best be appreciated at close range -- from the deck of a sightseeing boat or from the paths of the park along its shore. The park is abundantly supplied with flowers and trees. West Lake is always likened to one of ancient China's greatest beauties, Xi Zi -- who was also calm, soft, delicate and enchanting, even unadorned in the mist and rain.

(adapted from Berlitz Country Guide, 翰唐 录入)

- 作者： 翰唐 访问统计：　2005年10月19日, 星期三 11:00 加入博采